The sighting of a grizzly bear in Canada’s Banff National Park heralds the start of spring and the end of winter hibernation.
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism explained that large male bears typically emerge mid-March to search for food, while females with young are generally not sighted until late April or May.
Bear watching from a safe distance can be a hugely rewarding experience, with viewing opportunities abundant in Canada’s west between April and September.
Take, for instance, a serene ride above Banff National Park on the Lake Louise Gondola.
This spectacular bird’s eye view offers the perfect vantage point for bear spotting below, not to mention equally mind-blowing views of Lake Louise and the peaks of the Great Divide.
Further bear-spotting opportunities await at the top, with hiking trails and guided hikes available.
Visit www.keepexploring.canada.travel.
Sydney By Sail: the perfect way to see the city’s harbour.
In March 1995, Olympic yachtsman Matt Hayes established Sydney By Sail at the Australian National Maritime Museum, with one Adams 10 yacht, a mobile phone that was the size of a brick and a laptop.
The business model was simple: introduce locals and visitors to the joys of seeing magnificent Sydney Harbour by sail.
The experience was to be hands-on, where customers had the opportunity to take the helm, work the ropes and learn about sailing. This could then lead to sailing courses, yacht charter, charter yacht ownership and yacht share.
A quarter of a century later, the family-owned and operated Sydney by Sail has taken more than 535,000 people sailing on a fleet of luxury yachts.
It has grown to become one of Sydney’s longest-running privately owned provider of yacht charters, international sailing certification, corporate team building regattas and romantic overnight sojourns for couples.
Visit www.sydneybysail.com.
Easter: the perfect time to get away.
With Easter school holidays on right now, it’s the perfect time to get away with the family and create some special memories.
Save up to 20 per cent on your accommodation, with complimentary breakfast, until April 12 at Pan Pacific Melbourne, Parkroyal Darling Harbour, Parkroyal Melbourne Airport and Parkroyal Parramatta.
As well, get complimentary wifi and free stays for up to two children under 12 years old.
Visit www.panpacific.com.
Kangaroo Island: has it all.
Forget passports and lengthy flights, a dream holiday can be right on your doorstep.
Breathtaking Kangaroo Island has it all, from picturesque beaches, natural wonders and amazing wildlife to mouth-watering food and wine.
Save up to $196 on travel between May 15 and September 15, with SeaLink offering free return ferry transfers for two people who book their car plus a caravan or camper trailer on a Kangaroo Island SeaLink ferry.
Kangaroo Island, the third largest island in Australia behind Tasmania and Melville Island, is located south-west of Adelaide and a 45-minute cruise from the mainland.
Explore a variety of intimate wineries and soak up the picturesque views while enjoying the wines. Stop in at boutique distillery, Kangaroo Island Spirits, for some gin, vodka and liqueur tastings and savour the many amazing dining experiences from the chef-hatted restaurant Sunset Food and Wine, to a la carte restaurants the Zone Restaurant at the Ozone Hotel and Reflections Restaurant at the Mercure KI Lodge.
Visit www.sealink.com.au.
Japan: much more than the cherry-blossom season.
Missed out on cherry blossom season? Don’t worry, Japan’s spring scenery has so much more to offer.
Neighbouring Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture is easily accessible by train and has many fields of flowers, festivals and traditions all perfect to see after cherry-blossom season is over.
If you want to get a flower-fix, here are several easy day trips from Tokyo to make the most of Japan’s late spring colours and traditions, including Kurihama Flower Park.
Located on the tip of the Miura Peninsula, Kurihama Flower Park is home to a 20,000-square-metre poppy field, with as many as one million flowers blooming from April until early June.
The huge park offers plenty of opportunities to wander freely and explore; there is a foot bath, herb gardens, greenhouses, an archery range and even lavender ice-cream available for purchase.
While wandering the park, be on the lookout for the giant Godzilla statue. The park adjoins a children’s adventure park, and the monster’s tail has been transformed into a slide.
While Godzilla might seem a little out of place, remember that in the original 1954 film, Godzilla emerged from Miura’s coast.
From Shinagawa station in Tokyo, take the Keikyu Main line to Keikyu-Kurihama Station, and change to local bus to reach the Kurihama Flower Park in under 1.5 hours.
Visit www.livejapan.com.
NOTE: Potential travellers should check the status of individual events and establishments with regard to the coronavirus outbreak.
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